Woman Finds Massive, Pristine Painting Left Behind in Her New Home. The Mystery Is Far from Over (Exclusive)

Mar. 15, 2025

Lindsey Eaton and the massive, pristine painting she found after buying a new house.Photo:Courtesy of Lindsey Eaton

Courtesy of Lindsey Eaton

Lindsey Eatonand her boyfriend, Charlie, were moving into their new house in Atlanta when something caught Eaton’s eye.

“We honestly have no information about its origins,” she says, adding how the previous owners were already living overseas for a year before selling the house. “The sellers never mentioned most of the things they left behind, including the painting. There are no signatures or markings on it that give any clues.”

“My mom suggested I hang it up and design my room around it, while my boyfriend joked about selling it on Facebook Marketplace for $25,” she continues. “As for my dad, he suggested I keep the frame and replace the painting with an LSU poster, since I went to school there.”

Lindsey Eaton, who found a massive, pristine painting after buying a new house.Courtesy of Lindsey Eaton

But a little while later, as the couple was settling in and organizing different areas of the house, Eaton was cleaning out the shed where the painting had been stored when she had an idea. She decided to take a video of the painting and post it on her TikTok account, hoping that someone on the app might be able to help identify its value.

“Google says it is Huge Garden Scene Painting On Canvas, John Sloan,” someone else says.

Another user writes, “Idk askLeo from Love is Blind.”

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“They are full of funny theories. Some people think it’s haunted, some are convinced it’s worth a fortune and others say it’s probably worthless,” she adds.

A closeup photo of the painting.Courtesy of Lindsey Eaton

“The previous owners left quite a bit for us to clean out, so it feels like they didn’t intend to take everything with them,” she explains. “Plus, they live overseas, and we were never in direct contact with them, which makes reaching out even more complicated.”

As for now, Eaton says she’s tried researching the painting in every way she can think of, but keeps coming up with nothing. She’s also reached out to an art auction house and is currently waiting on an estimate. She may even get a couple of different estimates to see what experts think. And of course, she’ll keep TikTok followers updated.

“Dream outcome? It turns out to be a one-of-a-kind painting worth millions,” she says. “But realistically, if it’s worth a couple of grand, that would be amazing — especially since we have some house expenses right now. Worst-case scenario, it’s been a fun adventure, and I’m enjoying the mystery.”

“That’s the lesson: You never know what hidden treasures you might uncover in a new home! Always lean on your community for help, don’t be afraid to ask questions, and stay curious — you never know where it might lead,” she adds.

source: people.com